Los Angeles County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Latigo Canyon, Los Angeles County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on SSW swell at 14s with barely a breath of wind. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 6mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 8mph from the E.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 7mph E winds.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
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Latigo Canyon sits along the Malibu coast where coastal canyons create unique bathymetry that shapes incoming swells into quality beach breaks. The beach setup here offers relatively consistent peaks with a mix of sandbar formations that shift seasonally, providing varied wave quality throughout the year. This Malibu area spot works best during fall and winter swells when NW to W swell wraps around the point-rich coastline, with easterly offshore winds helping shape cleaner walls.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Latigo Canyon is 2-3ft with a 15.2s swell period. Wind is SW at 2mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Latigo Canyon is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.1ft SSW primary swell at 15s, a 0.9ft S secondary swell at 13s, a 0.9ft WSW tertiary swell at 6s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Latigo Canyon is Saturday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 2ft waves, a 15.1s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Latigo Canyon works best with a SW swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Latigo Canyon. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Latigo Canyon is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Latigo Canyon sits along the Malibu coast where coastal canyons create unique bathymetry that shapes incoming swells into quality beach breaks. The beach setup here offers relatively consistent peaks with a mix of sandbar formations that shift seasonally, providing varied wave quality throughout the year. This Malibu area spot works best during fall and winter swells when NW to W swell wraps around the point-rich coastline, with easterly offshore winds helping shape cleaner walls.
The prime season at Latigo Canyon is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Latigo Canyon include localism, crowded during quality swells, rocks near canyon mouth. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Latigo Canyon forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
